TAKOMA PARK, MD – In a nail-biting conclusion to the WAU CAC Classic, the Washington Adventist University (WAU) men's basketball team secured a dramatic 73-71 overtime victory over Florida National University on Sunday, January 19, at The Pitt. The Shock displayed poise and determination, pulling off a hard-fought win in front of an energized home crowd.

The regulation play was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging leads throughout the first half. WAU leaned on a strong inside presence from Emanuel Hylton, who tallied 22 points and five rebounds, and sharp perimeter shooting from Felix McGhee, who contributed ten points and drained three from behind the arc. Despite The Shock's aggressive defense, The Conquistadors managed to head into halftime with a slight edge, 35-27.

The Shock came out strong in the second half, pushing the pace and testing FNU's defensive resilience. Key defensive stops and clutch free-throw shooting with under a minute to play, helped WAU reclaim the lead. The Shock's composure at the free-throw line in the final moments pushed the game into overtime, as Florida National's last-second attempt to tie fell short.

In the extra period, WAU capitalized on key defensive stops and free throws to gain a narrow edge. Hylton came up big with a pair of clutch free-throws in the final seconds. FNU had a chance, but a technical foul with four seconds on the clock would deny their chance to equalize. The Shock held their nerve in the closing moments, sealing the victory and sending the home crowd into celebration.

The Shock shot 39.7 percent (23-of-58) from the field, with seven of its makes coming from long range. Hylton led the Shock in scoring, finishing with 22 points, while Rande Harper followed with 18 points, three rebounds, and three steals.

McGhee (10), Jordan Anderson (9), Jalen Anderson (5), Jaylin McNeil (5), and Jayden Rowe-Perry (4), also found the scoring column. Eight Shock players saw time on the floor.

The victory capped off an exciting weekend for WAU at the CAC Classic, showcasing their ability to grind out close games against tough opponents. The Shock will look to build on this momentum as they quickly hit the road to face NCAA Division I Norfolk State on Monday, January 20 in Norfolk, VA. The game will be televised on ESPN+.

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